Tuesday, February 25, 2014

A Unique Version of the Mission Given by Jesus

   The liturgy of Holy Communion reaches a pinnacle with the proclamation, "Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again." This is the church retelling the story of Jesus. The greatest story ever lived. The story that changed everything.
   In the middle of the story of Jesus, between Jesus is Risen and Jesus coming again, the Bible recounts the scene where Jesus is departing from his disciples to ascend into heaven. He gives them final words and a mission for them to carry out while he is gone. Actually, the Bible includes three different versions of this same moment in history. They are:

  • Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
  • Luke 16:15 - And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.
  • Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 

Our Epworth Vision Team read these verses and the surrounding passages this past week. I was reminded in the moment of a truth about the mission of the church: there is one mission, but it has always been restated in unique ways depending on the audience and setting. The mission is to live as witnesses to the world of the love of God found in the life of Jesus Christ. That mission changes for every congregation and every generation. Our Vision Team is moving toward capturing what this mission looks like for us right now. Continue to pray for the twelve Epworth people who are submitting to God through this exciting process.
   Grace and Peace, Scott
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Open Door Classic - Walk and 5k Run - March 8, 2014
Featuring a Fun Walk, 5k run, live music, and a hot meal for a small donation.
Uptown at the Synovus Center Courtyard along the Uptown Columbus Riverwalk. Parking is available at downtown parking garages. The 5K registration starts at 7:30 AM and the race starts at 8:00 AM. The Walk registration starts at 8:30 AM and the walk starts at 9:00 AM. Sign up on the Fellowship Hall door with Scott.
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Announcing a special Night of Music and Dinner
A Night of the Best Songs Ever with Bob Lee, Andy Unger, And Friends
On Saturday, March 22 at 6:00 pm. Catered by Country’s BBQ, and featuring songs from across the years, all for only $12 to support missions through the United Methodist Men. 
Limited Seating, so sign up at by March 10 to hold a space.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Jesus, Epworth.............Preacher

    The Hagans were away this past weekend from worship. We drove up to the western edge of North Carolina for the school-holiday weekend. As you can imagine, there was lots of snow, ice, and snowball throwing among the boys in the group. The cabin where we stayed is located more than two miles into a valley of the Cullasaja River and reached only after driving the last two miles on a steep, narrow gravel trail - not fit in some places for horses who surely traveled it years ago. That part was an adventure.
   On Sunday, I was wishing I could be in two places at once. I wanted to be at Epworth to hear my friend, Sara Bankhead, speak on UMW and commitment. I have long appreciated her leadership at Open Door as a Board member and her leadership in the South Georgia Conference.
   On Monday, I received the weekly email that lists all of the new and regular visitors who were in worship at Epworth this week. This really helpful document is compiled from Connection Cards, and direct recollection when visitors don't fill one out, by Suzy Revell and then emailed out to our Church Council. It helps all of us connect names and faces. It does more than that, though. It helps spread out the work of welcoming people to Epworth. We want the ministry of following up with visitors to be a work of the people, not just the pastor or one layperson. 
   Missing out on those visitors made me think through one really important question. It is one all of us should ask; "What do we want to happen when people visit?"
   First, we want people to be able to worship the one true God. The God who made us and loves us and sent Jesus as the way to a better life. This is the stuff of salvation and abundant life; read the Third or Tenth chapter of John's Gospel. But, what is second?
   We want people who visit Epworth to fall in love.
   We want visitors (and members who might have attended for years) to fall in love with Jesus. Then, we want them to fall in love with Epworth as the place to stay in love with Jesus - another way of saying "live out their life as a disciple." Finally, it would be okay for them to like the preacher. It's the order that is important. Jesus is forever. Epworth will be around for a long time. Preachers come and go. I want to stay for years, and I plan to. But, the most important person any visitor will meet on Sundays at Epworth is Jesus. And, Epworth people help make that happen every week.
   Grace and Peace, Scott

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

When Change Is Not Needed: Words That Last

   We all need change. On some level, we like change. Think about it; we would never finish school, date, get married, move, change jobs, have kids, or retire, if there was nothing about change that we appreciated. Change is good. 
   We also appreciate things staying the same. For as much good and value that can be found in the short list of changes from above, there is something deeply comforting about the things in life that stay the same. People who are consistent in a good way. Places that don't change much over time and, thereby, bring back wonderful memories of days gone by. 
   All of us would agree that we find ourselves in a world inundated with change. However, it is nice to come across little examples of things staying the same to be reminded that some great things don't change much. I am thinking of the welcome of an old friend, the taste of a favorite recipe, the subtle details of a famous work of art, or the soothing tones of a classic piece of music.
   This week, one of my classmates pointed out another little example of things staying wonderfully consistent and true over time. We are studying the writings of Paul, the early apostle to the Gentiles whose stories in Acts and letters through the New Testament combine to give the Church a divine perspective on God's work in the lives of the early Christians. Paul is brilliant and controversial. He said some things that don't apply anymore: rules on women's roles in worship and opinions on slavery immediately come to mind. However flawed he was, he was faithful and tireless in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. He was also consistent on the things that matter the most.
   One of the most beloved passages Paul ever wrote concludes the 'love chapter' in 1 Corinthians 13. He says faith, hope and love remain, and the greatest of these is love. That letter was written late in his life. But, did you know those words appear in his works at the very beginning? We are convinced that the first Christian writing ever written was Paul's letter to the church in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians), probably written in 48 AD. Notice the third verse of how it starts:
1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. 2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 
   Faith, Hope and Love. They are at the beginning of his ministry and at the end. They remain, indeed. My prayer is that the same can be said of us. Each of us as persons and of our church, as well. Things change, but some of the best things can stay the same. Let us live with faith, never lose hope, and love God and each other like Jesus did. Grace and Peace, Scott

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

God is Building Something Great

   What a week we've had. Epworth was blessed on Sunday to hear a report from Janet Cheraisi on her trip back to Kenya in December. While there visiting family, Janet presented her home church, the Sugatek African Inland Church, with Epworth's gift from our October Mission Focus for their construction efforts. Her report was that our gift would help purchase 16 windows for their sanctuary to be enclosed as well as build the first parsonage for their pastor. It was a powerful moment for me to think of what this partnership already means to God's Kingdom across the world. Let us pray for more opportunities to partner in what God is doing in Kenya.
   Then on Monday, our Church Conference voted unanimously to approve the two projects presented by the Building Committee. Fifty-nine persons were in attendance, and the Committee received good feedback and fielded good questions around these projects and others that are being considered for the future. Renovations on the interior hallways will begin in the next two weeks, with Rolling Construction serving as general contractor for this project. In regards to the parking expansion, French and Associates are preparing designs and plans for City approval with early May as the estimate for construction to begin with McMath-Turner doing the work. We will keep you updated about progress throughout using the weekly bulletin, weekly emails, and any means necessary to keep everyone on the same page about detours and the state of the building, including any issues that might affect persons (dust and air-quality, etc).
   The Church Conference also received word that as of Friday, January 31, all of the funds from the merger of the Hamp Stevens Memorial UMC with Epworth in the summer of 2006, previously held by the Columbus District, were transferred by Dr. Buddy Cooper into Epworth's Building Fund. This is truly a cause for celebration.
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   Far beyond parking lots and great hallways, Epworth has always been about building up God's people. This work could be clearly seen on Tuesday night as Andy and I gathered with sixteen young people to begin the journey of Confirmation. With leadership from a small group who've been confirmed before, our young people are learning about God's love, God's history, and God's best desires for our futures. Be in prayer for these young people from now through Confirmation Sunday, April 27, and beyond.
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   We are committed to building up people beyond the walls of our church. This happens through our efforts in our community. Please consider our Mission Focus for February. We will be collecting the following items in February for those homeless persons in Columbus that are served by Rose Hill UMC. You can help by donating 1) socks & underwear for women and men, 2)  deodorant, and 3) hair products for African-Americans. Then, mark your calendars for the Open Door Classic on March 8, at the Synovus Center Courtyard along the Uptown Columbus Riverwalk. I want to be joined by 40 Epworth folks this year for this fun event: either a walk or 5K Run.
   Grace and Peace, Scott